THE land that God gave to ancient Israel includes an extraordinary variety of geographic features. In the north are snowcapped mountains; areas in the south are tropical. Within its borders are productive lowlands, hill country for orchards and the grazing of flocks, as well as areas of desolate wilderness. Here in a relatively small area is a cross section of geographic features of the earth.

Bordering the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea is a strip of fertile plain. To the east of that is the Shephelah, hilly lowland where vineyards and olive groves flourish. Farther east a mountain range runs the length of the land like a huge backbone. Then the land takes a dramatic plunge into the Rift Valley, which slices the land lengthwise. Through this valley the Jordan River winds its way from the Sea of Galilee down to the Salt Sea. East of the Jordan are fertile hills and grazing lands. Beyond this inviting land, to the east, the Arabian Desert begins.

At its peak, the Promised Land with all its diversity was like the garden of Eden. Israel thus provided a small-scale example of what Paradise under the Kingdom of God will mean for mankind in all parts of the earth.